Lady Toppers Survive Troy to Improve to 3-0 in SBC Play with84-81 Win

TROY, Ala. – Sophomore Alexis Govan’s steal and subsequent free throws with 5.8 seconds left sealed an 84-81 win for WKU over Troy to help the Lady Toppers to a 5-1 start for the first time since the 2005-2006 season.

The Lady Toppers (5-1, 3-0) have started conference play with three wins to open the season for the first time since 2007-08. The Lady Toppers have now won seven straight games against the Trojans.

Govan finished with a game-high and career high 32 points and sophomore Chastity Gooch finished with a career best 25 points as the duo became the first WKU duo to score 20 points or more in the same game since Feb. 5, 2011 when Janae Howard (24 points) and Arnika Brown (20 points) achieved the feat against Louisiana-Monroe. Gooch added 16 rebounds. Gooch is one of only three players in the nation to record a double-double in every game this season.

After WKU led 77-71 with 4:04 left following two Govan free throws, the Trojans scored nine of the next 11 points in the game, including a go-ahead three-pointer by Britney McCloud. Following a timeout, Govan nailed a three-point basket from the wing to go ahead 82-80. With 15.9 seconds remaining, Troy’s Kourtney Coleman drove the lane and drew a blocking call on Jalynn McClain. Coleman hit one of two free throws to cut the lead to 82-81 in favor of the Lady Toppers. After Chaney Means collected the rebound for WKU, she missed the front end of the bonus. As Troy looked to get a potential game-winning shot off, the ball went out of bounds under the Troy basket. Retaining possession, Troy’s inbounds pass was deflected near the top of the key by Govan, who was fouled after collecting the ball. Govan’s two free throws gave WKU the three-point final margin.

WKU shot 45.8 percent for the game and 15-of-21 from the free throw line. Forcing 26 turnovers in the contest, WKU got 27 points off Trojan turnovers, posting yet another impressive mark of 165 steals in the game, including six by Govan. Troy (1-5, 0-2) hit seven three-point field goals in the game.

The Lady Toppers responded from an early 13-5 deficit with a 19-4 run over a six minute span in the first half to grab the lead. After Troy came back to tie the game at 31-31 following a basket by Jasmine Pitts with just over five minutes left, the Lady Toppers ended the half on a 14-6 run, including scoring eight of the final 10 points of the half. Govan and Gooch each had 15 points in the first half. Govan hit 5-of-8 shots in just 10 minutes of play in the opening stanza after picking up her third foul with 7:17 left and WKU holding a 30-25 lead.

The Lady Toppers came out of the locker room hot in the second half. The Lady Toppers hit 6-of-9 shots and forced six turnovers in the first 4:14 heading into the first media timeout of the second half to expand their lead to 14 at 59-41.

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